50 years of the RBC Heritage

This is the 50th RBC Heritage, regarded as one of the TOUR’s most popular stops. One of Pete Dye’s signature designs is annually ranked among the country’s top courses and has produced a winner’s roster including inaugural winner Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Johnny Miller, Hale Irwin, Fuzzy Zoeller, Tom Watson, Nick Faldo, Davis Love III, Greg Norman and Nick Price.

In honor of 50 years of the RBC Heritage, Hilton Head Island’s historic lighthouse will be wrapped in the tournament’s traditional plaid during the tournament on April 9-15 at Harbour Town Golf Links.

The tournament has invited all past champions to attend the week’s festivities.

A look back at the 2017 RBC Heritage

Beginning the final round four shots back of the lead, Wesley Bryan edged out Luke Donald by one shot to become the first South Carolina native in the 49-year history of the RBC Heritage to win the event, doing so with a 13-under 271 total. Bryan posted his first bogey in 43 holes at the par-4 third hole, but reeled off four consecutive birdies at Nos. 4-7 and two more at Nos. 13 and 15 to post a 4-under 67. Bryan earned his first career PGA TOUR victory at the age of 27 years, 21 days in his 18th career start.

More on defending champion Wesley Bryan

Winner of the Tartan Jacket, given annually to the RBC Heritage winner.

Having entered the final round trailing by four, his come-from-behind victory marked the fifth consecutive time the winner of the RBC Heritage came from at least three shots back on Sunday to win. Bryan (2017), Jim Furyk (2015), Matt Kuchar (2014) and Graeme McDowell (2013) were each four strokes back entering the final round during their victory, while Branden Grace came from three shots back in 2016.

Since the RBC Heritage moved into its slot after the Masters in 1983, Bryan became the seventh player to win the event without having competed in the Masters the week before: Bryan (2017), Carl Pettersson (2012), Brian Gay (2009), Boo Weekley (2007), Aaron Baddeley (2006), Bob Tway (1995) and Davis Love III (1987).

RBC Golf Ambassadors dominating RBC Heritage

One year after RBC began sponsoring this event in 2012, RBC Ambassadors won three consecutive times in Hilton Head: Graeme McDowell (2013), Matt Kuchar (2014) and Jim Furyk (2015). In the two years preceding their sponsorship, current RBC Ambassadors Furyk (2010) and Brandt Snedeker (2011) won in Hilton Head. Further enhancing the connection, 2012 RBC Heritage champion Carl Pettersson won the RBC Canadian Open in 2010. Here’s a list of RBC Ambassadors expected to tee it up this week: Jim Furyk, Adam Hadwin, David Hearn, Dustin Johnson, Matt Kuchar, Graeme McDowell, Ryan Palmer, Brandt Snedeker, Nick Taylor.

FedExCup notes

14 of the top 30 in the FedExCup, led by Patton Kizzire (2), Dustin Johnson (7) and Paul Casey (10).

Seven of the 11 winners of the RBC Heritage in the FedExCup era (since 2007) have qualified for the season- ending TOUR Championship. The last two RBC Heritage winners (Branden Grace and Wesley Bryan) went on to finish No. 41 in the final FedExCup standings each of their respective years.

Jim Furyk (2010) went on to win the FedExCup the same year he won the RBC Heritage.

Luke Donald

Could 2018 be the year Luke Donald finally dons the tartan jacket given annually to the RBC Heritage champion? He owns a remarkable seven top-three finishes (including five runner-up finishes) in 12 previous starts at Harbour Town Golf Links (2-2017, T2-2016, 2-2014, T3-2013, 2-2011, T3-2010, T2-2009).

Since 1934 (official PGA TOUR events), Donald is one of five players (six times) to finish runner-up in an event five or more times. Only two players have more runner-up finishes in an event during that span: Jack Nicklaus (7, RBC Canadian Open) and Phil Mickelson (6, U.S. Open). Payne Stewart (5, The Honda Classic), Jack Nicklaus (5, Ford Championship at Doral) and Greg Norman (5, BMW Championship) each have five runner-up finishes in the same event.

RBC Heritage and the Masters Tournament

In its traditional spot immediately after the Masters for the seventh straight season. In 2011, was played two weeks after the Masters, marking the first time it was not played the week after the Masters since 1982.

Since the RBC Heritage moved into its slot after the Masters in 1983, Wesley Bryan became the seventh player to win the event without having competed in the Masters the week before joining Carl Pettersson (2012), Brian Gay (2009), Boo Weekley (2007), Aaron Baddeley (2006), Bob Tway (1995) and Davis Love III (1987).

The largest final-round comeback at the RBC Heritage is nine strokes (Stewart Cink, 2004).

Harbour Town is one of eight courses that have hosted at least one TOUR Championship. In 1989, Harbour Town was the site, as usual, of the RBC Heritage, won by Payne Stewart. Six months later, Harbour Town also hosted the season-ending TOUR Championship. Stewart just missed winning twice on the same course in the same season when he fell in a two-hole playoff to Tom Kite.

David Frost set the PGA TOUR’s all-time 72-hole putting record with 92 total putts at Harbour Town in 2005. The old mark was also set at Harbour Town when Kenny Knox had just 93 putts in 1989, later matched at other events by Mark Calcavecchia and Brian Gay.

In 2016, Jason Day finished T23 as he became first player ranked No. 1 in the Official World Golf Ranking to play the RBC Heritage since Luke Donald in 2012. Current top-ranked Dustin Johnson will make his first start at the RBC Heritage since missing the cut in 2008 and 2009.